USDA Implements Regular Testing For Organic Food

Law360, New York (November 13, 2012, 6:46 PM EST) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a rule Friday that requires food labeled as organic to be tested periodically for pesticides and other substances, after the agency found that the majority of testing agents were not examining the products on a regular basis.

Under the rule, testing agents must examine at least 5 percent of the organic agricultural operations they certify each year for residue prohibited by USDA regulations. The rule, which will become final Jan. 1, applies to agricultural products sold, labeled or marketed as...